Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
June 27th, 2025
This article describes the clinical protocol for warm moxibustion and scraping therapy.
This study employ warm moxibustion and scraping to treat cervical spondylosis and then to develop a simple and effective non-pharmaceutical therapeutic approach.
The protocol combines moxibustion and scraping therapy effectively integrating heat, mechanical stimulation, and neck movement for cervical spondylosis treatment with demonstrated good efficacy, safety, and patient acceptance.
[SongXing] In subsequent investigations, we will integrate advanced imaging modalities and multidimensional biomarker profiling to systematically evaluate therapeutic outcomes and elucidate the mechanistic on the opinions of warm moxibustion and scraping.
[Presenter] To begin the procedure, ask the patient to sit upright and fully expose the neck, shoulders, and both hands. Using scissors, cut the thunder fire moxistick into four equal parts, approximately 2.5 centimeters each. Insert one part into the screw in the WMAS cup. Evenly ignite the bottom surface of the moxistick. Cover it with a fireproof net, and place it in the treatment tray for spare use. Now, using tweezers, pick up gauze and clean the treatment area. Then apply scraping oil evenly to the area. Test the temperature by hand. Next, place the rim of the WMAS cup close to the skin. Then tilt the edge until the angle between the mouth of the cup and the skin reaches approximately 10 to 15 degrees. Ensure that the treatment includes five meridians and nine treatment lines. To treat the governor vessel, bend the patient's head slightly forward to expose the back of the neck. Use one hand to support the patient's forehead and hold the WMAS cup with the other. Scrape along the treatment line from GV16 to GV12. For the bladder meridian of foot Taiyang, scrape along two lines, one on each side from BL10 to BL13. Then for the gallbladder meridian of foot Shaoyang, turn the patient's head slightly to expose the area. Support the head on the same side, and scrape from GB20 to GB21. To treat the triple energizer meridian of hand-Shaoyan, ask the patient to turn the head to the left slowly until the maximum angle and hold for five seconds. Then turn to the right and hold for five seconds. Instruct the patient to slowly bend the neck to the left side and hold for five seconds. Then bend to the right and hold for five seconds. To treat the small intestine meridian of hand Taiyang, scrape from SI3 to SI4 on both hands while the patient performs neck flexion and extension. Using gauze, wipe away any excess scraping oil from the treated area. Then ask the patient to rest for 10 minutes to avoid any adverse reactions. Treatments were administered on days 1, 5, 9, and 13. Patients were followed up for four weeks after the final treatment. Before treatment on day one and after the fifth day's treatment, there was no significant difference in the NDI, VAS, or NPQ scores between the two groups. After the 13th day's treatment and at follow-up, the treatment group had significantly lower NDI, VAS, and NPQ scores than the control group indicating that the treatment group had superior efficacy and better long-term outcomes than the control group.
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Overview
This article describes a clinical protocol combining warm moxibustion and scraping therapy for treating cervical spondylosis. The approach integrates heat, mechanical stimulation, and neck movement, demonstrating good efficacy and safety.
Key Study Components
Area of Science
- Neuroscience
- Therapeutic Techniques
- Complementary Medicine
Background
- Cervical spondylosis is a common condition affecting the neck.
- Traditional treatments often involve pharmaceuticals or invasive procedures.
- Non-pharmaceutical approaches are sought for better patient acceptance.
- Warm moxibustion and scraping therapy are traditional methods used in various cultures.
Purpose of Study
- To develop a simple and effective non-pharmaceutical therapeutic approach.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combined treatment.
- To enhance patient comfort and acceptance of the treatment.
Methods Used
- Warm moxibustion applied to specific acupuncture points.
- Scraping therapy performed on the neck region.
- Combination of heat application and mechanical stimulation.
- Assessment of treatment outcomes through patient feedback.
Main Results
- Demonstrated good efficacy in alleviating symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
- Reported high levels of patient acceptance and satisfaction.
- Safety profile consistent with traditional practices.
Conclusions
- The combined approach is a viable alternative to pharmaceutical treatments.
- Further studies could expand on the efficacy of this protocol.
- Integration of traditional therapies may enhance patient care.
